Dolly Parton’s newest music honors her husband Carl Dean, who died March 3.
The nation singer launched “If You Hadn’t Been There” Friday, writing a tribute to her late husband on Instagram with the duvet of the only — a photograph of the 2 of them.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean after I was 18 years previous,” Parton wrote on Instagram. “We’ve spent 60 treasured and significant years collectively. Like all nice love tales, they by no means finish. They reside on in reminiscence and music. He’ll all the time be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this music to him.”
The opening piano notes sign an emotional ballad from Parton.
“In the event you hadn’t been there, who would I be?” the music asks, repeating within the refrain “I wouldn’t be right here, in the event you hadn’t been there.”
RELATED: Dolly Parton Musical Coming To Broadway In 2026
The singer announced her husband’s passing on social media Monday, March 3. Two days later, she adopted up the information with an announcement of gratitude for all of the sympathies.
“It is a love word to household, associates, and followers,” she wrote. “Thanks for all of the messages, playing cards, and flowers that you just’ve despatched to pay your respects for the lack of my beloved husband Carl. I can’t attain out personally to every of you however simply comprehend it has meant the world to me. He’s in God’s arms now and I’m okay with that. I’ll all the time love you.”
Parton has just lately featured alongside a number of artists on new albums and hit songs, equivalent to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” for the “Espresso” singer’s deluxe model of her Grammy-winning pop album Brief n’ Candy. She additionally appeared on a observe named after her, “Dolly P,” which serves as a setup and introduction of types to Beyoncé’s rendition of Parton’s personal “Jolene” on Cowboy Carter, the singer’s Grammy-winning Album of the Yr and Greatest Nation Album.
RELATED: Dolly Parton Announces Open Casting Call To Play Her In Broadway Musical
